Ruffling and gathering attachment for sewing-machines



(No-Model.)

A.JOHN STON. RUFFLING AND GATHERING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No.349,279. Patented Sept. 14, 1886.

.' I UNITED STATES- PATENT OFF-ion.

ALLEN JOHNSTON, OF OTTUMTVA, IOTVA.

RUFFLING AND GATHERING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,279, datedSepteniberld, 1886.

Application filed April 17, i884. Serial No. 126,204. (No modrl.)

Toall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALLEN JOHNSTON, of Ottumwa, in the county of Wapelloand State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful 1mprovement inRuffiing or Gathering Attachments for Sewing-Machines, which improvementis fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to that class of rufflers IO or gatherers inwhich the rufiling device, usually a reciprocating blade, is operatedthrough two levers, one of which receives motion from a suitable movingpart of the sewing-machine, and the other of which, receiving motionfrom the former, communicates it to the ruffiing device.

The invention consists in the new means or combination of devices forimparting motion to and for adjusting the stroke of the ruffling 2odevice or blade.

The accompanying drawings represent an attachment constructed inaccordance with the invention.

The device is shown on an enlarged scale.

Figures 1 and 2 are views in elevation from opposite sides, and Fig. 3a,plan view. I

A is the ruffler-frame, which, as shown, is adapted to be secured to thebed-plate of the sewing-machine. A rattler-frame adapted to 0 besupported from the presser-bar or attached directly to the stationaryarm of the machine could be used instead, being equally wellknown formsof ruflier-frames.

B is the auxiliary presser-foot,which extends under the usualpresser-foot of the machine. In a foot-ruffler or ruffler adapted to beattach ed to the presser-bar of the sewing-machine. it would not beused.

0 is the separator, fastened at one end to an 0 arm of theruffler-frame.

The ruffling device or blade D is operated by means of the two levers EF, which are pivoted at a to the upright plate b, making part of theruffler-frame. The lever E is forked at the .5 outer end, and receivesmotion from the needle-bar or from other suitable part of the machine.The rufiier-blade is fastened to the projection or pin 0 at the lowerpart of the lever F.

The regulating device G, in the form of an elastic device or spring-arm,is pivoted at d to the lever F. The end 6 projects beyond the lever andforms a handle by which the lever can be turned. It is provided wit-h alip, f, which engages the ratchet'or toothed surface 9, in virtue of theelasticity of the device, spring, or arm. By means of the handle 6 thedevice, arm, or spring can be withdrawn to disengage the lip f, and itcan then be turned in either direction, to increase or diminish thestroke of the ruffling device or blade. When the needlebar rises andlifts the fork ed end of lever E, the said lever strikes the projectiong on the lever F, and during the'rest of its ascent carries with it thelever'F. The ruffler-blade is thereby ad vanced to make a fold or gatherin the fabric, which is inserted between it and the separator. WVhen theforked end of lever E is carried down, the projection h thereon strikesthe adjustable device, arm, or spring G, and carries back the lever Fand the ruffler-blade. By turning the said device or arm to theright inFig. 1 the lever E makes contact with. the same later in its descent,and therefore carries back the ruffler-blade to a less distance. Byturning the device or arm G to the left in Fig. 1 the contact will occursooner,an d the ruffler-blade will be carried a greater distance. Thestroke of the rufiler may thus be lengthened or shortened within thelimits of the adjustment. VVhenever the device or arm is moved and thehandle 0 released, the elasticity immedi ate] y makes the lips f engagethe teeth of ratchet g and the parts are retained in position.

It is evident that modifications may be made in the details ofconstruction without depart ing from the spirit of the invention, andthat parts of the invention may be used separately.

I claim the new improvements described, to Wit:

1. A ruffling or gathering attachment composed of the following elementsin combination, to wit: the ruffler-frame, the movable rufliing device01" blade, the lever having a fork with onemember over or above theother in the outer end for engaging the needle-screw of the sewing-inachine, the lever connected with the rut fier-blade and receivingpositive motion in both directions from the former lever both saidlevers being arranged 011 the same side of the needle-hole as the saidi'uffier-blade, and supported 011 said rufiier-frame so as to turn inthe same direction, and the stroke regulating means for varyingtheamount of 10st motion between the ]evers, said means eomprisiug anelastic arm or spring and a, ratehet or serrated surface, \vhieh saidarm or spring engages, substantially as deseribed.

2. In a rattling orgatheriug attaehment,and in combination with therut'llingdeviee or blade and the two levers, one provided with a fork inthe end to engage the ueedle-serew ot' the sewing-maehine, and botharranged on the same side ot the needle-hole as the said rullliug devieeorblade. the stroke-regulat ing meanseomprising a spring-arm fastened toone of said levers at the bottom, in proximity to the rut fling devieeor blade, and engaging with the ratehet or serrated surl'aee on theopposite side of the fulerum ot said lever, substantially as deseribed.

3. In a rattlingorgatheringattaehment, the

